I'd best remember to look up. The last half of 2023 has been a time I'd like to forget: my husband's sister died and two weeks later his brother died. We live in a very rural area; so we have a second house in a city 75 miles away. When we arrived at House #2 after the funeral, it had been burglarized. Since it was the second burglary, we decided it would be best to have House #2 in a gated community. Pickings were slim to non-existent, but we found what appeared to be a nice place. The community is lovely, but the house just gets worse with each new thing we find less than satisfactory.
To paraphrase Bogie in Casablanca, "Here's looking up, kid." May 2024 find Hamas and Putin and Trump defeated.
You filled my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for saying it all. I'm happy to see 2023 in the rearview mirror, and like you, feel hope for 2024.
Thank you Anne for all the writing between the recipes. I started reading your blog to better understand my mother because cooking/baking is her love language and not mine. I was a stranger in her kitchen and could not understand her toiling away for hours in one room. You have helped see through all her (unwritten at times) recipes and read the person she really is...the way she tenderly seasons her soups or lovingly greases her cake pans...it's all so much more than the recipes. When I read your words I laugh, I cry, I live, and I love and appreciate my mother and her way of loving us and life itself.
Moving, sobering AND hopeful year-end post, Anne. What a touching story about Laurene, and what a glorious photo. I just pre-ordered your book, hope to see you tour with it in Chicago.
Glorious writing and stunning photographs, Anne. I, too, am hopeful for 2024 despite just about everything! And I am so looking forward to your new book!
Happy new year to you all.Keep the mouth watering recipes flowing.I do appreciate the time and effort not to mention the expertise involved .You are a winner! Julie
I hesitate to offer this comment on such serious and reflective thoughts but I must say you brightened my day with the reference to Ursa Minor and Ballycastle. If I remember correctly, it was the only bakery I’ve ever seen with a long table with books lined up in the middle. I’ve got pictures of such beautiful pastries that I almost hated to eat them. Walking the Glens and the Causeway Coast was beautiful but the bakery was just as memorable...
Thank you for this year of activism and inspiration, Anne. Both the cooking kind of inspiration and the citizen kind. May 2024 be a wonderful year for you and for our world.
I always love to read your offerings. Thoughtful, inspirational, beautiful. I can only hope that 2024 will be much better--I worry for my grandchildren-- what the future may hold. Of course, your recipes are outstanding. Thank you so much.
I cannot wait to get your new BEAUTIFUL book! I appreciate that you show life in it's entirety. We have not had the best 2023, in my opinion. I often agree with what you are saying. Your thoughts on gun violence and your appreciation of peonies, my favorite too minus the ants, is a glimpse of the world as it is happening. The good with the bad, and I hope 2024 is more good! I look forward to reading everything that you offer to us. Your view of the world and it's happenings validates my thoughts. Thanks Anne!
I'd best remember to look up. The last half of 2023 has been a time I'd like to forget: my husband's sister died and two weeks later his brother died. We live in a very rural area; so we have a second house in a city 75 miles away. When we arrived at House #2 after the funeral, it had been burglarized. Since it was the second burglary, we decided it would be best to have House #2 in a gated community. Pickings were slim to non-existent, but we found what appeared to be a nice place. The community is lovely, but the house just gets worse with each new thing we find less than satisfactory.
To paraphrase Bogie in Casablanca, "Here's looking up, kid." May 2024 find Hamas and Putin and Trump defeated.
You filled my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for saying it all. I'm happy to see 2023 in the rearview mirror, and like you, feel hope for 2024.
The review of your year holds a place in my favorite reads of 2023. Beautiful and heartbreaking writing.
Thank you Anne for all the writing between the recipes. I started reading your blog to better understand my mother because cooking/baking is her love language and not mine. I was a stranger in her kitchen and could not understand her toiling away for hours in one room. You have helped see through all her (unwritten at times) recipes and read the person she really is...the way she tenderly seasons her soups or lovingly greases her cake pans...it's all so much more than the recipes. When I read your words I laugh, I cry, I live, and I love and appreciate my mother and her way of loving us and life itself.
You write so beautifully. And your photos, philosophy, and recipes are just what the world needs.
Moving, sobering AND hopeful year-end post, Anne. What a touching story about Laurene, and what a glorious photo. I just pre-ordered your book, hope to see you tour with it in Chicago.
Glorious writing and stunning photographs, Anne. I, too, am hopeful for 2024 despite just about everything! And I am so looking forward to your new book!
Amen to that you reduce me to tears here in my kitchen.It was so heartfelt and genuine .I could hear you saying .Julie
Happy new year to you all.Keep the mouth watering recipes flowing.I do appreciate the time and effort not to mention the expertise involved .You are a winner! Julie
Here's to a better year in 2024!
I hesitate to offer this comment on such serious and reflective thoughts but I must say you brightened my day with the reference to Ursa Minor and Ballycastle. If I remember correctly, it was the only bakery I’ve ever seen with a long table with books lined up in the middle. I’ve got pictures of such beautiful pastries that I almost hated to eat them. Walking the Glens and the Causeway Coast was beautiful but the bakery was just as memorable...
Thank you for this year of activism and inspiration, Anne. Both the cooking kind of inspiration and the citizen kind. May 2024 be a wonderful year for you and for our world.
Happy new year, Anne. Your recipes and words give me hope :) And excited for your book’
I always love to read your offerings. Thoughtful, inspirational, beautiful. I can only hope that 2024 will be much better--I worry for my grandchildren-- what the future may hold. Of course, your recipes are outstanding. Thank you so much.
Thank you for your thoughts.
I cannot wait to get your new BEAUTIFUL book! I appreciate that you show life in it's entirety. We have not had the best 2023, in my opinion. I often agree with what you are saying. Your thoughts on gun violence and your appreciation of peonies, my favorite too minus the ants, is a glimpse of the world as it is happening. The good with the bad, and I hope 2024 is more good! I look forward to reading everything that you offer to us. Your view of the world and it's happenings validates my thoughts. Thanks Anne!